Florida vs. Vandy: Gators Launch Seven Numbers that Sink the Commodores

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For Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators “Vandy Week” has never been a big blip on the rivalry radar. 

Sandwiched between the controversy surrounding Brandon Spikes’ on-field payback and a visit next weekend to see the Old Ball Coach, the game with the Commodores seems lost at sea.

But Meyer and his Gators have something to prove on Saturday…that they are whole once again and are ready to charge, not stumble, into Atlanta for a meeting with the Tide.

And charge they will, especially if these numbers resemble torpedoes aimed at the Commodores…

3

Games in a row that the Gator defense held the key offensive star of that week’s opponent to a subpar performance.

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, MSU running back/receiver Anthony Dixon, and Georgia wideout A.J. Green all found the going difficult when facing Brandon Spikes, Joe Haden and the rest of the Gator defensive squad.

This week, Vandy return specialist Warren Norman brings his true freshman enthusiasm to the Swamp as he attempts to better is record of three kickoffs returned for touchdowns.  His 1526 all-purpose yards are also tops for the Commodores.

Meyer and Strong have a great deal of experience neutralizing impact players.  Norman, as with his predecessors, will find himself the star object of Gator defense and special team attention.

Second

The Gators’ second best effort balancing rushing and passing first downs.

Against the Bulldogs, Florida posted 9 passing and 11 rushing first downs.  Only the effort against the Razorbacks came closer to half for each.

Urban Meyer’s attempt to retool the offense worked.  One of the most impressive improvements was the decrease in average third down yardage attempts.

Vandy can no longer expect Florida to be one dimensional when they have the ball.  Meyer’s alterations have finally returned the element of surprise and unpredictability to the Gator offense.

49.3 Percent

Percentage of total points (to date) Vanderbilt has earned in their non-conference wins over Western Carolina and Rice.

Vandy looked like last year’s squad when tagging the Catamounts and Owls for 81 total points.

But the Nashville Nightmares from last season are long gone. In SEC play this year, Vandy has had to scratch and claw for every one of the 39 points they’ve earned in five matches—resulting in a dismal 7.8 points per game average.

The wheels have come off the Commodore cart and the spare was left at home…

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